So Saints European adventure ends for another year but despite the scoreline there was no disgrace in the defeat in the quarter final in Toulouse on Friday night. Of course, as is the norm this season, we were written off long before the first whistle blew but we lived with Toulouse till half time.
Not only that we clearly disrupted their gameplan for the first 30 minutes and but for that throwaway interception try may have even have gone into the break in the lead. Who knows what then?
Unfortunately it wasn’t to be and Stade being Stade stepped it up for 20 mins and ran away with the game but taking all things into account the lads can be proud of there efforts and yet again it is going to take a very good team to stop Toulouse.
So while our Zurich Premiership campaign may not go down as being a wholly successful exercise this time round the European cup in comparison was a success. Let’s not forget we were not in an easy group. Toulouse last years beaten finalists and Llanelli the Celtic League champions were tipped to battle out the group but in just losing the single game, including doing the double over the Scarlets, Saints rightly took their place in the last eight. Nowadays that is an achievement in itself but its slightly annoying that certain branches of the media, and a pundit on Sky TV is the worst offender, seem to think its perfectly okay to overlook the hard facts and thinly suggest we were not deserving of being in the last eight. We were.
Once again the Saints support gave good account of themselves in Toulouse.
From our arrival on Friday morning up till leaving on Monday we were still bumping into groups of fans around the city, enjoying the highlife and making the most of their time in France. In the stadium too the 1500 or so that travelled out were in good voice till the bitter end and sitting in amongst the locals far away from the main throng of the Saints support you got to appreciate how much of an effort the gold black and green army make.
Yet again the Toulouse fans and people of the town took to the Northampton support too, from sympathetic barmen offering us napkins to cry into after the game to the many flag waving cars driving around till the early hours cheering each Saints shirt they saw, and not a hint of arrogance about it. The French media latched onto the Saints support too. Local telelevision company TLT have a weekly programme on the rugby club and Saints supporters featured prominently in interviews in the Sunday edition, Some spoke of the atmosphere and ambiance while I am sure a well known stewards solo rendition of ‘Oh when the Saints’ for the cameras while topped with a gold black and green wig will make the French sleep easy knowing that there is unlikely to be a challenge for the Eurovision Song Contest from this side of the channel for some years to come if that is the content of the talent pool. But seriously, well done to Adam Weston and Dave Wilton from the supporters club amongst others for spreading the word.
One last thought on the European Cup, isn’t it quite ironic that while we constantly hear about player burnout, the country that supplies three of the four semi finalists is the one that dramatically increased the number of games they play this season. But then with wage bills triple the size of the ZP clubs they can afford the large squads to see them through the lengthy season, the Toulouse bench was testament to that.
LOOKING AHEAD
So while we put European competition behind us, till hopefully next season, it is all eyes back to the Zurich Premiership and the continuing battle for survival.
On Saturday the Saints travel down to Bath for the third last game of the season hoping to keep their current run of ZP form going and record a fourth straight win following on from victories against Tigers, Gloucester and Quins. It is however a tall order with Bath flying high but the West Country side, despite their denial, are sure to have half an eye on their Powergen Final the following week and taking the first half form against Toulouse into this game a shock could be on the cards. After all a double over Bath at this time of the season would be a timely boost to say the least but then even a bonus point could prove vital in the final tally.
If you are lucky enough to have secured a ticket (I didn’t) the Saints Supporters Club will be running coaches to Bath, they will be leaving Franklin’s Gardens at 9am. The prices are: Adults: £13 Children/Students/OAPs: £8
If you want to let the train take the strain, you can make the short trip to Oxford by bus then pick up a train to Bath with a single change at Didcot Parkway. Not only does this cut around two hours off your journey time, giving you more time in the ‘Pretty City’, it is about a quarter of the normal train fare. However plan your journey in advance and do not rely on catching that last bus back to town as we found out last season, missing it by ten minutes. A taxi fare back home from Oxford is not light on your wallet.
The Saints Supporters Club are having their Annual Pig Roast on Saturday 23rd July, at BBOB’s Rugby Club, Northampton. This year’s event has a Lions & Maori’s theme. Starting at 7.30pm, there will be a disco and raffle, after the food. There is a vegetarian menu available.
Tickets are Adults: £7 & Children (Under 12’s): £3. (Under 5’s are free)
To book tickets, call Adam on 0787 9401047
Talking of Lions, it is planned for there to be a pre tour night in early May for any of you (and me!) traveling down to New Zeal
Unfortunately it wasn’t to be and Stade being Stade stepped it up for 20 mins and ran away with the game but taking all things into account the lads can be proud of there efforts and yet again it is going to take a very good team to stop Toulouse.
So while our Zurich Premiership campaign may not go down as being a wholly successful exercise this time round the European cup in comparison was a success. Let’s not forget we were not in an easy group. Toulouse last years beaten finalists and Llanelli the Celtic League champions were tipped to battle out the group but in just losing the single game, including doing the double over the Scarlets, Saints rightly took their place in the last eight. Nowadays that is an achievement in itself but its slightly annoying that certain branches of the media, and a pundit on Sky TV is the worst offender, seem to think its perfectly okay to overlook the hard facts and thinly suggest we were not deserving of being in the last eight. We were.
Once again the Saints support gave good account of themselves in Toulouse.
From our arrival on Friday morning up till leaving on Monday we were still bumping into groups of fans around the city, enjoying the highlife and making the most of their time in France. In the stadium too the 1500 or so that travelled out were in good voice till the bitter end and sitting in amongst the locals far away from the main throng of the Saints support you got to appreciate how much of an effort the gold black and green army make.
Yet again the Toulouse fans and people of the town took to the Northampton support too, from sympathetic barmen offering us napkins to cry into after the game to the many flag waving cars driving around till the early hours cheering each Saints shirt they saw, and not a hint of arrogance about it. The French media latched onto the Saints support too. Local telelevision company TLT have a weekly programme on the rugby club and Saints supporters featured prominently in interviews in the Sunday edition, Some spoke of the atmosphere and ambiance while I am sure a well known stewards solo rendition of ‘Oh when the Saints’ for the cameras while topped with a gold black and green wig will make the French sleep easy knowing that there is unlikely to be a challenge for the Eurovision Song Contest from this side of the channel for some years to come if that is the content of the talent pool. But seriously, well done to Adam Weston and Dave Wilton from the supporters club amongst others for spreading the word.
One last thought on the European Cup, isn’t it quite ironic that while we constantly hear about player burnout, the country that supplies three of the four semi finalists is the one that dramatically increased the number of games they play this season. But then with wage bills triple the size of the ZP clubs they can afford the large squads to see them through the lengthy season, the Toulouse bench was testament to that.
LOOKING AHEAD
So while we put European competition behind us, till hopefully next season, it is all eyes back to the Zurich Premiership and the continuing battle for survival.
On Saturday the Saints travel down to Bath for the third last game of the season hoping to keep their current run of ZP form going and record a fourth straight win following on from victories against Tigers, Gloucester and Quins. It is however a tall order with Bath flying high but the West Country side, despite their denial, are sure to have half an eye on their Powergen Final the following week and taking the first half form against Toulouse into this game a shock could be on the cards. After all a double over Bath at this time of the season would be a timely boost to say the least but then even a bonus point could prove vital in the final tally.
If you are lucky enough to have secured a ticket (I didn’t) the Saints Supporters Club will be running coaches to Bath, they will be leaving Franklin’s Gardens at 9am. The prices are: Adults: £13 Children/Students/OAPs: £8
If you want to let the train take the strain, you can make the short trip to Oxford by bus then pick up a train to Bath with a single change at Didcot Parkway. Not only does this cut around two hours off your journey time, giving you more time in the ‘Pretty City’, it is about a quarter of the normal train fare. However plan your journey in advance and do not rely on catching that last bus back to town as we found out last season, missing it by ten minutes. A taxi fare back home from Oxford is not light on your wallet.
The Saints Supporters Club are having their Annual Pig Roast on Saturday 23rd July, at BBOB’s Rugby Club, Northampton. This year’s event has a Lions & Maori’s theme. Starting at 7.30pm, there will be a disco and raffle, after the food. There is a vegetarian menu available.
Tickets are Adults: £7 & Children (Under 12’s): £3. (Under 5’s are free)
To book tickets, call Adam on 0787 9401047
Talking of Lions, it is planned for there to be a pre tour night in early May for any of you (and me!) traveling down to New Zeal
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